Berlin down Barcelona to reach final

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)

Füchse Berlin edged FC Barcelona 26:25 to reach the final of the 2015 IHF Super Globe at Duhail Sports Arena here yesterday.

In the title clash on Thursday the German side will take on MKB-MVM Veszprem.

In the second semi-final MKB-MVM Veszprem defeated 29:17 Sydney University Handall Club.

The first semi-final between defending champions FC Barcelona and Füchse Berlin turned into a touch and go affair.

Barca were the first on the board but Füchse Berlin soon followed and took control of the game to show it was not going to be an easy victory for the VELUX EHF Champions League winners. Frederik Petersen scored a penalty goal to give Berlin the lead and Fabian Wiede was next to add to the tally putting the German side two in front (4:2).

After 15 minutes Berlin retained the advantage though Barca keeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas was making them work for each goal. It was not long before Barcelona began to show their strength reclaiming the lead courtesy of a save by Vargas followed by a goal from Kiril Lazarov in the 18th minute (5:6).

Berlin came back briefly to see a level score line after 25 minutes (10:10) but a two-minute suspension for Kent Robin Tonnesen soon after proved a turning point. Barcelona took advantage of their numbers to create a three-goal lead within the last five minutes of the half leaving Berlin to chase them through the second period.

Berlin fought hard but Barca looked comfortable as they retained the advantage through the second period. With 15 minutes on the clock they were still in front by three (18:21). But it was not over – Berlin continued to push and came back within one goal on more than one occasion. Bjarki Elisson missed a chance to equalise on a fast break in the 52nd minute keeping the score at 21:22 and when Barca stayed ahead by two with five minutes left it looked as though they would take the win.

But again Berlin reeled them in and when Victor Tomas received a two-minute suspension and Elisson levelled the score on a penalty goal inside the last two minutes it seemed that the match could well end in favour of the German side. Barcelona lost their next attack in passive play and Berlin had possession as the clock showed 15 seconds left.

Berlin received a penalty on the buzzer and Elisson converted to pull off the last-second win knocking Barca into the bronze medal game and putting themselves into the final.

The second semi-final was a low-scoring first half that ended in favour of the VELUX EHF Champions League runners-up but Sydney University Handball Club’s performance was clearly bolstered by their historical win in their quarter-Final match. After ten minutes the scoreboard showed 2:4. Line player Pierre Bonnin scored a goal to take Sydney Uni within one but from there the

Australian side were unable to get the ball past Roland Mikler until the 17th minute when Diego Llorente Llamzares scored to put the score at 4:6.

Veszprem were comfortable in the lead however pulling ahead to a four-goal advantage by the 22nd minute (4:8). They kept that difference until half-time and looked to be on their way to the Final.

But Sydney Uni came out firing after the break putting in a 4:2 that was enough to make Veszprem coach Antonio Carlos Ortega call a time-out at the 35th minute (9:11). From there the Australian side looked dangerous for a while keeping pace but trailing by a few crucial goals.

With 15 minutes left Bonnin received a red card after three suspensions before Veszprem’s Renato Sulic was sent off for two minutes (14:19). At that point Veszprem began to take firm control finding gaps in Sydney’s defence that hadn’t been there previously to create a six-goal gap by the 50th minute.

As the clock ticked down they continued to increase their lead until they were in front by eight at the final whistle.

Meanwhile Al Ahly Sports Club will play off for position 5/6 against Esporte Clube Taubate and Club Africain will fight for seventh spot against Al Sadd after the Egyptian and Brazilian teams recorded wins in the placement round games.

Al-Ahly Sports Club defeated Club Africain 20:17 after the teams were tied at nine all at the end of half time.

In the other placement match local side Al Sadd lost 32:24 to Esporte Clube Taubate.